Hands-on: Get ready for bigger sounds from the X-mini II
Juniper Foo | Jan 21, 2009
Generation two sees the tweeter tweaked with a splash of color. (Credit: XM-I)
Update, April 24: The X-mini II is now out at a retail price of US$35.
It's a mark of achievement when competitors start making clones of your product. Apple's one such trendsetter. XM-I may be another. Though definitely not in the big boys league, the Singapore-based company has blown us away over the years with its "little speakers, mighty sounds" innovative spunk. Having scored a red dot winner with its first X-mini outing, and following this up with the X-mini Max stereo and its clever magnetic hamburger halves, it's now continuing the momentum with the X-mini II.
At first glance, generation two is incrementally larger than its pocket-sized predecessor at 83g, though the audio boost is also markedly enhanced, thanks to a larger 40mm driver. When we tried both out on a laptop, the ramp-up in sonics was clearly audible. However, heavy beats and the larger driver caused the X-mini II to play hopscotch across the table, unlike the X-mini, though this is a minor gripe.
The X-mini II is just a tad larger than its predecessor, but still very pocketable. (Credit: Reuben Lee/CNET Asia)
But what's a lot more interesting is the new buddy-jack with built-in 3.5mm audio cable that's designed to tuck away neatly into the base. XM-I CEO Ryan Lee told CNET Asia that the new feature is more modular, letting users form an almost endless daisy chain of their X-mini IIs for more volume. It's frightfully loud, all right. In a demo where they rigged up seven speakers, it got so deafening in the Lab that our senior editor almost cried mama. We did note that linking two together will still give you mono sounds, though the bass-enhanced impact of several booming speakers made the difference moot.
Design-wise, the X-mini II retains its original's winning capsule form, with minor tweaks to discern it from its 1.5-year-old predecessor. The tweeter and logo have been given a dash of color, while the protective cap over this has been stylized into a bar. We liked the new look but didn't like that the driver was now also more exposed to knocks. Charging continues to be via a mini-USB port, which is great since you can use a standard mini-USB wire if you forget to pack along the bundled cable.
Other enhancements that we also liked: The two-step volume switch is now a dial for greater control, while the rechargeable battery has been jacked up to thrice the capacity for a claimed marathon 11 hours of audio output.
So is this worth upgrading from your X-mini? A resounding yes, yes and yes for the richer and fuller sonics, the greater convenience of a built-in audio cable, and the longer battery life. Even sweeter is the proposed sticker price of US$29, though there is no confirmation on the exact S$ price yet.
The X-mini II will ship in matte black with red tweeter when it launches globally from March.
The new volume dial offers greater volume control, while the 3.5mm audio cable is now neatly designed into the base. (Credit: XM-I)
The X-mini II's pitch, a modular buddy-jack design that lets you daisy chain as many X-mini IIs as you want. (Credit: Leonard Goh/CNET Asia)
Talkback
gsr5867 says...
Cool! Volume control much better than the previous model! Great price also!
Jan 22, 2009 10:14
Cool! Volume control much better than the previous model! Great price also!
Jan 22, 2009 10:14
gadgetfanac says...
This is what I have been waiting for..the next generation from the X-mini......can't wait to get it from Challenger..
Best part is they have this new feature : Buddy Jack..guess I am going to get at least 10 sets, daisy chain them on our next party gathering...
Keep up the good work, X-mini Team!
Jan 22, 2009 10:54
This is what I have been waiting for..the next generation from the X-mini......can't wait to get it from Challenger..
Best part is they have this new feature : Buddy Jack..guess I am going to get at least 10 sets, daisy chain them on our next party gathering...
Keep up the good work, X-mini Team!
Jan 22, 2009 10:54
puraime says...
wow. I have the first version and that's pretty loud enough. can't wait for this. it's so much fun.
Jan 23, 2009 12:48
wow. I have the first version and that's pretty loud enough. can't wait for this. it's so much fun.
Jan 23, 2009 12:48
isaac976 says...
to be honest here, Xmi made me very sad,. i have bought the first gen, then the one with the double speakers.. all of the cable attached charger failed on me, after a while the cable wont be able to charge or even connect to the Xmi, I have both and it seems a pretty big problem for them, I dont think i will be getting this version already as those previous two had failed me, worst part they dont even have spare part for that miserable cable
Jan 24, 2009 23:47
to be honest here, Xmi made me very sad,. i have bought the first gen, then the one with the double speakers.. all of the cable attached charger failed on me, after a while the cable wont be able to charge or even connect to the Xmi, I have both and it seems a pretty big problem for them, I dont think i will be getting this version already as those previous two had failed me, worst part they dont even have spare part for that miserable cable
Jan 24, 2009 23:47
johanlee says...
XMI has changed the cables for the first generation X-mini and X-mini Max to thicker and stronger wires due to the problems isaac976 has mentioned. We have also been replacing all the old wires free. isaac967 may send me a message to arrange for a replacement.
Cheers!
Johan Lee
Manager
shop@XMI
Jan 25, 2009 13:24
XMI has changed the cables for the first generation X-mini and X-mini Max to thicker and stronger wires due to the problems isaac976 has mentioned. We have also been replacing all the old wires free. isaac967 may send me a message to arrange for a replacement.
Cheers!
Johan Lee
Manager
shop@XMI
Jan 25, 2009 13:24
isaac976 says...
dude.. serious not ? how come nothing was mentioned, I bought 2 Xmi mini, one 2nd Gen .. all had this problem and its now sitting at my room, gimme ur email, if you too shy to post it on cnet.. here is my email buyer976@msn.com, let me know ur email .. i will go to your shop as soon as possible for replacement, and if its that good .. i will still continue buying Xmi cause its really good. .. except for the connecting cable..
Jan 25, 2009 23:42
dude.. serious not ? how come nothing was mentioned, I bought 2 Xmi mini, one 2nd Gen .. all had this problem and its now sitting at my room, gimme ur email, if you too shy to post it on cnet.. here is my email buyer976@msn.com, let me know ur email .. i will go to your shop as soon as possible for replacement, and if its that good .. i will still continue buying Xmi cause its really good. .. except for the connecting cable..
Jan 25, 2009 23:42
ferdiei says...
i had a comparison with a genuine & copycat x-mini before. the original x-mini truly sounds great in a very handy package, so fakes are not worth your dollar.
johanlee: thanks for offering replacement parts thru cnet, i guess not evrybodys aware about your(x-mini) marketing campaign here. and, does this mean that the cable/s have unlimited warranty? then i am confident owning & buying the newer versions then...
Jan 26, 2009 08:23
i had a comparison with a genuine & copycat x-mini before. the original x-mini truly sounds great in a very handy package, so fakes are not worth your dollar.
johanlee: thanks for offering replacement parts thru cnet, i guess not evrybodys aware about your(x-mini) marketing campaign here. and, does this mean that the cable/s have unlimited warranty? then i am confident owning & buying the newer versions then...
Jan 26, 2009 08:23
isaac976 says...
well, Johan have not replied me on where to get a replacement or even emailed me yet, but maybe its just CNY, I have actually asked my friends to buy X-mini and I have 3 sets, Will get the new one as a gift for my friend if they do change the cables for me, will keep all of you all posted
Jan 26, 2009 17:14
well, Johan have not replied me on where to get a replacement or even emailed me yet, but maybe its just CNY, I have actually asked my friends to buy X-mini and I have 3 sets, Will get the new one as a gift for my friend if they do change the cables for me, will keep all of you all posted
Jan 26, 2009 17:14
isaac976 says...
johan, My bad.. send email to buyer976@yahoo.com
Jan 26, 2009 17:15
johan, My bad.. send email to buyer976@yahoo.com
Jan 26, 2009 17:15
JLi says...
i hope it was like X-mini Max stereo edition?, which can go on bluetooth to play your music wireless.
Feb 09, 2009 19:04
i hope it was like X-mini Max stereo edition?, which can go on bluetooth to play your music wireless.
Feb 09, 2009 19:04
Eunicexu says...
So cool speaker!I have the X-mini 1 and I think the sound is not so loud,if can connect some pieces together,that should be perfect~
How I buy the X-mini 2?Who should I reach?
Feb 26, 2009 21:23
So cool speaker!I have the X-mini 1 and I think the sound is not so loud,if can connect some pieces together,that should be perfect~
How I buy the X-mini 2?Who should I reach?
Feb 26, 2009 21:23
jackzeng says...
so nice,this models is which i am looking for,can you give me your price?
Mar 04, 2009 11:40
so nice,this models is which i am looking for,can you give me your price?
Mar 04, 2009 11:40
dereklim288 says...
The X-Mini II is must have item for gadget lover. Would there ne X-Minimax II coming soon..? I'm using X-Minimax but have the same issue as isaac976, i.e. the battery just won't charge and there is distortion sound coming from both seakers. What could be solution for both? Where to find the dealer who can resolve the hardware problem in Kuala Lumpur ? My e-mail address is: dereklim288@yahoo.com
Oct 10, 2009 07:17
The X-Mini II is must have item for gadget lover. Would there ne X-Minimax II coming soon..? I'm using X-Minimax but have the same issue as isaac976, i.e. the battery just won't charge and there is distortion sound coming from both seakers. What could be solution for both? Where to find the dealer who can resolve the hardware problem in Kuala Lumpur ? My e-mail address is: dereklim288@yahoo.com
Oct 10, 2009 07:17
bizkuite says...
i bought X-MINI Capsule XA-M2 2.0...after three hours of playing music the blue led of one speaker started flashing then gone off but the still playing....i've connected the usb .. the led turned red but after 2 minutes the led became a dim red...it's normal?
Oct 31, 2009 22:31
i bought X-MINI Capsule XA-M2 2.0...after three hours of playing music the blue led of one speaker started flashing then gone off but the still playing....i've connected the usb .. the led turned red but after 2 minutes the led became a dim red...it's normal?
Oct 31, 2009 22:31
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johanlee
With the many fakes out there, beware of getting the wrong thing which is often cheap and of poor quality.
Cheers!
Johan Lee
Manager
shop@XMI
Jan 22, 2009 09:25